[Ephirith]

Originally Posted by Daldolma [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/

Exactly 2 of 45 European countries (min population: 35,000) rank higher than the US in Human Development Index.

y u hate amurrica?

The USA HDI is distorted by our country's absurd amount of wealth, which is one component of the figure. The figure used to represent wealth in the HDI doesn't adequately account for our horrendous levels of income inequality. Wealth in the USA is concentrated among an oligarchy like you just don't see in many other western nations. Look at the figures for education index and life expectancy index by themselves-- they are a bit less flattering. And to add a little context to the HDI's income figure, look at the GINI coefficient.